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Lisbon makes good on NATO restructuring objectives

Portugal has achieved all its objectives in NATO’s broad structural reforms approved by alliance defence ministers in Brussels, according to outgoing Defence Minister Augusto Santos Silva.

“From my point of view, the three objectives defined by Portugal were fulfilled”, Lisbon’s defence minister said of the alliance-wide reforms decided late last week.“We took a step forward because Portugal joined the group of relevant countries in maritime terms”, he added.Under the restructuring, Portugal gives up the Joint Command Lisbon headquartered in Oeiras, but gains STRIKFORNATO, the rapid reaction naval command, currently based in Naples, which includes the US 6th Fleet.NATO’s Communications and Information Systems School, currently headquartered near Rome, will also be transferred to Portugal, which already hosts the Joint Analysis and Lessons Learned Centre (JALLC).Santos Silva said Lisbon’s three objectives had been a “leaner, more robust, efficient” alliance, keeping a command structure in the country, and hosting other NATO facilities. TPN/Lusa